”Both Food Security and Land Redistribution are Non Negotiables in the Transformation of South African Agriculture; and Government views Commercial Farmers as a Strategic Partner in the Process”

The recent ‘land imbizo’ held on 26 February 2015 at the Gordon Institute for Business Science, the third of its kind since June 2012, provided an important communication mechanism for agricultural role-players to engage in frank dialogue with the leadership of the ruling party on agricultural and land reform matters. The ANC Secretary General (Mr Gwede Mantashe) met with a number of leading commercial farmers as part of a series of privately initiated engagements driven collaboratively by the ‘In Transformation Initiative’ and the Standard Bank Centre for Agri-Business Development and Leadership of Stellenbosch University.

A farmer himself in the Elliot/MacLear district, Mr Mantashe’s keenness to engage commercial farmers clearly establishes a bridge between these farmers and the ruling party on many contested agricultural policy issues, and in this instance on the dual imperative of “finding a balance between the need to transform the industry and to ensure that food security is sustained”.

As indicated by Mr Mantashe, the robust debate at these forums strongly contributes to the ongoing evolution of agricultural policy and serves to advance a positive relationship between the ruling party and leading commercial farmers. The formulation of agricultural policy is not viewed as static, but is rather an open-ended process, in that policy positions and public statements are always open to constructive debate to reduce contradictions and maintain policy congruence.

Importantly, Mr Mantashe reiterates that the National Development Plan remains the strategic framework against which future agricultural strategy and agricultural development shall be pursued. In a balanced and dispassionate manner Mr Mantashe provided the commercial farmers with an overview of the ruling party’s current perspectives on land reform and agriculture, emphasising the seriousness with which the ANC is engaged with such matters, including:

  • The recognition that land reform is a very sensitive matter, and will by its very nature remain a contested political space for some time to come.
  • The commitment to deal with agriculture matters in a serious and responsible manner and expand agri-production to ensure South Africa’s food security.
  • The political commitment to the transformation of agriculture through land reform and restitution programmes and the development of the rural economy with concomitant rural jobs, including the establishment and support of new young black commercial farmers.
  • The importance of establishing agriculture as a distinct economic sector which can make a significant contribution to addressing South Africa’s developmental challenges.

The leading commercial farmers have raised their own concerns with regards to agricultural development and land reform, preeminent amongst these are:

  • A perception of constantly moving policy targets.
  • A perceived policy incongruence between all departments involved in agriculture and rural development initiatives and the absence of a ‘clear set of agreed-upon rules’ across all departments for agricultural empowerment projects.
  • Retained state ownership of the land transferred during reform and restitution programmes distorts investment incentives, hinders the raising of working capital and consequently impacts negatively on the viability of agri-empowerment projects.
  • The perceived non-translation of the significant funds committed by government for land reform and agricultural support programmes into empowerment projects and support for emergent farmers at ground-level.

Whilst acknowledging some policy incongruences and the constrained capacity of government departments, Mr Mantashe emphasised that it is now time to move beyond the development of policy to executing practical agricultural empowerment projects through a partnership between government, new and emergent farmers and existing commercial farmers at all levels. The ruling party thus seeks a partnership arrangement with commercial agriculture through the development of concrete projects and practical empowerment models, as attested to by the recent initiatives in the Witzenburg District and the Mopani District where the farmers themselves have taken the initiative to drive empowerment programmes in their respective districts.

The frank, and at times terse, exchanges during the ‘land imbizo’ emphatically established good will between the ruling party and the leading commercial farmers, who in turn strongly voiced their willingness to partner with government and committed themselves to empowering the development of small and emergent farmers into sustainable commercial farmers. A refreshing commitment exists for the development of a shared perspective on land reform and agricultural development, to be created through the involvement of all stakeholders, and with the commercial farmer being viewed as a strategic partner in such empowerment initiatives.

Mr Mantashe’s acknowledgement that there can’t be ‘one size fits all policy model’ is also very welcome. This demonstrates a maturing a South African agricultural policy wherein various models take into account South Africa’s differing bio-climatic regions, as well as the various levels of farming intensity required for the 37 commodity sectors. He informed the leading commercial farmers that the ruling party eagerly awaits agri-empowerment and development models/proposals from them for the 37 commodity sectors.

Furthermore, Mr Mantashe’s commitment to constitutional principles and the principle of fair and equitable value in the transfer of land remains assuring to both commercial farmers and agri-investors. It was noted that, as the product of the education and development programmes on these commercial farms, a core of capable young Black farmers exists who have all the necessary skills to run farms, should such farms be transferred to them.

The leading commercial farmers echoed the call arising from the Cabinet Lekgotla for an OPERATION PHAKISA intervention for agriculture (albeit with a different name) and the establishment of a ‘war-room’ for an ‘all-of-government’ approach to land reform and agricultural development.

Structured engagements, such as this ‘land imbizo’ where agri-leaders meet government leaders in their personal capacity, have proven their worth in creating strategic dialogue on important land reform and agricultural matters. The need has clearly arisen to establish a progressive interface between government, individual agricultural leaders and organised commercial agriculture on future agricultural thinking, policy formulation and strategy development, share ideas on agricultural development initiatives and to test the efficacy of land reform and agricultural policy.

Although the ‘land imbizo’ remains a private initiative, Mr Mantashe and the attending commercial farmers concluded that this structured dialogue must continue on a regular basis. On Mr Mantashe’s specific request, Mr Roelf Meyer and Prof Mohammad Karaan were requested to jointly ensure that further dialogue is facilitated and, using the resources of the ‘In Transformation Initiative’ and the Standard Bank Centre for Agri-Business Development and Leadership at Stellenbosch University, a central point will be created whereby further steps can be coordinated and resources applied.

Mr Mantashe has proven himself to be a man with whom the commercial farmers can speak openly and frankly, this both in terms of his own ‘farmers heart’ and in terms of the policy formulating role that he plays within the ANC.

ENDS